IP Library Granted Patent US 12,055,707
Granted Patent B2
US 12,055,707 · App. 17/306,779 · Granted Aug 6, 2024

Method and system for fiber scanning projector

Inventors: Brian T. Schowengerdt (Seattle, WA); Mathew D. Watson (Bellevue, WA); Charles David Melville (Camano Island, WA); Samuel Scott Frank (Shoreline, WA)
Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
G02B26/103G02B27/0172H04N9/3129G02B2027/0125G02B27/283G02B27/30
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,055,707
App. No.
17/306,779
Granted
Aug 6, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A fiber scanning projector includes a piezoelectric element and a scanning fiber passing through and mechanically coupled to the piezoelectric element. The scanning fiber emits light propagating along an optical path. The fiber scanning projector also includes a first polarization sensitive reflector disposed along and perpendicular to the optical path, a quarter wave plate disposed adjacent the first polarization sensitive reflector, and a second polarization sensitive reflector disposed along and perpendicular to the optical path.

Claims (37)

1. A fiber scanning projector comprising:

a piezoelectric element;

a scanning fiber passing through and mechanically coupled to the piezoelectric element, wherein the scanning fiber is configured to emit light propagating along an optical path;

a curved reflector disposed along and perpendicular to the optical path, wherein the curved reflector includes an aperture and the scanning fiber passes through the aperture;

a planar polarization sensitive reflector disposed along and perpendicular to the optical path; and

a quarter wave plate disposed between the curved reflector and the planar polarization sensitive reflector.

2. The fiber scanning projector of claim 1 wherein the quarter wave plate is integrated with the planar polarization sensitive reflector.

3. The fiber scanning projector of claim 1 wherein the curved reflector, the quarter wave plate, and the planar polarization sensitive reflector are contained in a solid laminated component having optical power.

4. A method of generating light with a fiber scanning projector, the method comprising:

directing light along an optical path, wherein the light is generated by a scanning fiber mechanically coupled to a piezoelectric element and passing through a reflector including an aperture;

passing the light through a a quarter wave plate during a first pass;

reflecting the light off of a polarization sensitive reflector disposed along the optical path;

passing the light through the quarter wave plate during a second pass;

reflecting the light off of the reflector;

passing the light through the quarter wave plate during a third pass; and

passing the light through the polarization sensitive reflector.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the reflector is planar and the polarization sensitive reflector is curved.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the reflector is curved and the polarization sensitive reflector is planar.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein the quarter wave plate is integrated with the polarization sensitive reflector.

8. The method of claim 4 wherein the reflector, the quarter wave plate, and the polarization sensitive reflector are contained in a solid laminated component.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the solid laminated component has an optical power.

10. A fiber scanning projector comprising:

a piezoelectric element;

a scanning fiber passing through and mechanically coupled to the piezoelectric element, wherein the scanning fiber is configured to emit light propagating along an optical path;

a planar reflector disposed along and perpendicular to the optical path, wherein the planar reflector includes an aperture and the scanning fiber passes through the aperture;

a curved polarization sensitive reflector disposed along and perpendicular to the optical path; and

a quarter wave plate disposed between the planar reflector and the curved polarization sensitive reflector.

11. The fiber scanning projector of claim 10 wherein the quarter wave plate is integrated with the curved polarization sensitive reflector.

12. The fiber scanning projector of claim 10 wherein the planar reflector, the quarter wave plate, and the curved polarization sensitive reflector are contained in a solid laminated component having optical power.

13. The fiber scanning projector of claim 10 wherein the quarter wave plate and the curved polarization sensitive reflector are separated by an air gap.

14. The fiber scanning projector of claim 10 wherein an output surface of the scanning fiber defines a spherical object surface.

15. The fiber scanning projector of claim 1 further comprising a lens disposed along the optical path and configured to adjust a working distance of the fiber scanning projector.

16. The fiber scanning projector of claim 15 wherein the planar polarization sensitive reflector and the lens are separated by the working distance.

17. The fiber scanning projector of claim 15 further comprising a field of view magnifier disposed between the planar polarization sensitive reflector and the lens.

18. The fiber scanning projector of claim 15 further comprising a spherical aberration corrector disposed between the planar polarization sensitive reflector and the lens.

19. The fiber scanning projector of claim 1 wherein the quarter wave plate and the curved reflector are separated by an air gap.

20. The fiber scanning projector of claim 1 wherein an output surface of the scanning fiber defines a spherical object surface.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 28, 2025
From: MAGIC LEAP, INC.; MENTOR ACQUISITION ONE, LLC; MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 073387/0487 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 28, 2025
From: MAGIC LEAP, INC.; MENTOR ACQUISITION ONE, LLC; MOLECULAR IMPRINTS, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 073388/0027 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 5, 2021
From: SCHOWENGERDT, BRIAN T.; WATSON, MATHEW D.; MELVILLE, CHARLES DAVID; FRANK, SAMUEL SCOTT
To: MAGIC LEAP, INC.
Reel/Frame 056149/0882 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 15927765 · Mar 21, 2018
Provisional Application 62474461 · Mar 21, 2017
Related Publication 20210325662A1 · Oct 21, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,625,364